This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself manages acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for the split could have been more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
